Article: Is Any (Realistic) 2024 Draft Pick Worth Marco Rossi?

[Up North Guy]

8 hours ago, Protec said:

At a surface level, yes I would agree with you. When you stop and think about a 31yo character-guy with experience and history of greasy playoff performances who can score nearly as much as current day Rossi, there's no reason to automatically assume he couldn't help the Wild achieve balance. Plus he's on a decent deal that isn't too long. Been a captain on that struggling team. If he wanted to make the tail-end of his career count, could MN be a good place to do it? If he had a good year or not, you could extend him or move on. My point is that the "different look" for MN with Laine could be potent offensively but a more responsible, more complete, versatile guy would be less flashy, but better for the Wild's balance. That's why I believe they're testing the waters for Rossi. The Wild have a style and presence with Rossi that might be less big & fast than what's needed to defeat Dallas, Vegas, or Edmonton in the playoffs. 

I just don't think the Wild can expect all the stars to align perfectly where all the players we have or select become the Cup winning team. Kaprizov is here now and the Wild are a team that can make the playoffs. They're a team that can do what Winnipeg or Nashville did last year to turnaround their crummy Central finish. They could follow Edmonton's example and make adjustments to a Round 1 loser team and get deep into the playoffs.

A lot of love for Rossi here and that's great. He's overcome a lot and become productive. I just wonder how anyone can contrast him to a Barkov, Zibenejad, O'Rielly, Miller, Draisaitl, Byfield, or Benn, or any of the guys you'd have to beat to reach a Cup Final? We can't pretend Rossi is going to become better than or equal to those guys in ALL aspects because those guys are much bigger, stronger, or more experienced. MN likes Rossi too much. Nothing personal but saying Guerin is stupid to trade him is very narrow-minded. 

Personally, I'd prefer Trent Frederic, but Boston trading him for Rossi is way less likely. Jenner is an easy target to be critical of sure. I'm just not with you guys who think keeping Rossi as a core-guy is critical. I would like to see the Wild make a stronger push in the last two Kaprizov years to win and prove they're a team who can win more. It's an important part of keeping Kirill around, but if it doesn't happen, the Wild are still deficient at center with Ek, and Rossi as your top guys or expecting Hartman, Yurov, or potentially Knudi, Heidt, Stramel to be top NHL centers. That takes time and experience which MN has almost none. Rossi has yet to play a single playoff game. I don't know him, but does he crank it up for playoffs or is he like other Euros who struggle under pressure and physicality? We've kinda seen that already. Not in the playoffs and yeah he's still young so I'm not trying to rip Rossi, but I'd like to see the Wild find balance in more ways than just stat-lines or future potential. 

I think you misunderstand me. I like Rossi and think he has a solid future ahead of him. But I believe the old saying "everything is for sale, depending on the return" applies. If the wild can acquire a better player, heck yes, make the deal. My fear is that they would settle for a player like Jenner who best years are behind him. He has had to carry a lot of the load in his career and there is wear and tear.

[Protec]

55 minutes ago, Up North Guy said:

I think you misunderstand me. I like Rossi and think he has a solid future ahead of him. But I believe the old saying "everything is for sale, depending on the return" applies. If the wild can acquire a better player, heck yes, make the deal. My fear is that they would settle for a player like Jenner who best years are behind him. He has had to carry a lot of the load in his career and there is wear and tear.

Yeah, not another Vanek or Heatly thing with a guy who has just one year left at 3.75M. Just a player type and qualities different from Rossi but a center from a team who may be looking to make changes. I agree the Wild should not get stuck with more aging vets.

[Tony Abbott]

4 hours ago, BillieGismylover said:

Let’s see what Billy can do with a full deck of cards next offseason.

We saw it last fall with Foligno/Zucc/Hartman, and are gonna get another dose of it in July with Middleton. After Faber/Kaprizov, what's gonna be left?

[MacGyver]

15 hours ago, Dean said:

So trade the one guy who can play on a mcdavid level

Kaprizov is nowhere near McDavid. Have you ever seen Kaprizov skate through three or more dmen and score? I think Kaprizov has grown into a bit of a mythical figure around here. Yes he's good but not even close to a McDavid level player nor will he ever be.  

If he wants to leave for whatever reason than you have to face the reality. Trade him sooner than later. 

[Protec]

Kaprizov is a bigger than life guy and since he's quiet and consistently good at scoring, it's impossible not to like and appreciate having him on the team. 

But you're right it can't last forever and the team can't be completely reliant on one guy. McDavid or Draisaitl have off nights or get shut down. Injuries can derail dominance by Ek. The Wild need to begin assembly of the post-penalties group at an increased pace. Maybe Kaprizov will want to stay but if not, the timing will be great to get a nice return as Spurgeon and Foligno become the Goligoski if they're still around. 

[Pewterschmidt]

11 hours ago, Tony Abbott said:

gonna get another dose of it in July with Middleton.

While I agree that Guerin deserves second guessing on his unforced errors, I’m waffling on midzy.  He’s a solid locker room guy (good for team culture which builds slowly over years), he’s big,  and he’s above average defensively.  But could the 4.25M w/NMC be spent more wisely?

[Pewterschmidt]

1 hour ago, MacGyver said:

Kaprizov is nowhere near McDavid. Have you ever seen Kaprizov skate through three or more dmen and score? I think Kaprizov has grown into a bit of a mythical figure around here. Yes he's good but not even close to a McDavid level player nor will he ever be.  

If he wants to leave for whatever reason than you have to face the reality. Trade him sooner than later. 

Mcdavid is arguably the best player in the league so no 97 is not in his league but I’d argue 97 is in leagues top 15-20 forwards in the league in all around hockey play making ability (isn’t there a corsi stat that would prove this).  He’s the best player the Wild org has ever had (gabby a DISTANT second), so to fumble and let 97 go so we can wait another 25 years for similar talent would suck.  25 yrs of a revolving door of mikko koivus, antti miettenen, James Shepard and Chuck kobasew’s…no thank you.  

Edited June 22 by Pewterschmidt

[Pewterschmidt]

2 hours ago, MacGyver said:

If he wants to leave for whatever reason than you have to face the reality.

Yes if 97 doesn’t intend to re-sign (and this is the GM’s job to know one way or the other) Guerin cannot allow another Gaborik situation where he walks for nothing

[PNW Wild]

On 6/21/2024 at 8:35 AM, Citizen Strife said:

The last I'd heard, Russo said something like, "temper expectations" on Rossi going.  It's obviously if there's an amazing deal out there, do it.  But, like the Gus situation, you have time.  Maybe a trade deadline situation?  Aren't teams more desperate and likely to sell more than they want for stuff then?

Pretty sure that he said that and that Russo insinuated that BG was walked back a bit from the pro scouts. I have no problem with BG seeing what he can get for Rossi, and I expect that is what he is doing. But, unless it's a homerun then he shouldn't pull the trigger. Seems like BG realized that the team needed more size and Rossi was the piece that he could trade that would get the most back. He checked to see what others might be willing and calmed down a bit when he saw what was available. If that is the case, then he was doing his job. 

[Need4speed99]

On 6/21/2024 at 10:43 AM, Protec said:

At a surface level, yes I would agree with you. When you stop and think about a 31yo character-guy with experience and history of greasy playoff performances who can score nearly as much as current day Rossi, there's no reason to automatically assume he couldn't help the Wild achieve balance. Plus he's on a decent deal that isn't too long. Been a captain on that struggling team. If he wanted to make the tail-end of his career count, could MN be a good place to do it? If he had a good year or not, you could extend him or move on. My point is that the "different look" for MN with Laine could be potent offensively but a more responsible, more complete, versatile guy would be less flashy, but better for the Wild's balance. That's why I believe they're testing the waters for Rossi. The Wild have a style and presence with Rossi that might be less big & fast than what's needed to defeat Dallas, Vegas, or Edmonton in the playoffs. 

I just don't think the Wild can expect all the stars to align perfectly where all the players we have or select become the Cup winning team. Kaprizov is here now and the Wild are a team that can make the playoffs. They're a team that can do what Winnipeg or Nashville did last year to turnaround their crummy Central finish. They could follow Edmonton's example and make adjustments to a Round 1 loser team and get deep into the playoffs.

A lot of love for Rossi here and that's great. He's overcome a lot and become productive. I just wonder how anyone can contrast him to a Barkov, Zibenejad, O'Rielly, Miller, Draisaitl, Byfield, or Benn, or any of the guys you'd have to beat to reach a Cup Final? We can't pretend Rossi is going to become better than or equal to those guys in ALL aspects because those guys are much bigger, stronger, or more experienced. MN likes Rossi too much. Nothing personal but saying Guerin is stupid to trade him is very narrow-minded. 

Personally, I'd prefer Trent Frederic, but Boston trading him for Rossi is way less likely. Jenner is an easy target to be critical of sure. I'm just not with you guys who think keeping Rossi as a core-guy is critical. I would like to see the Wild make a stronger push in the last two Kaprizov years to win and prove they're a team who can win more. It's an important part of keeping Kirill around, but if it doesn't happen, the Wild are still deficient at center with Ek, and Rossi as your top guys or expecting Hartman, Yurov, or potentially Knudi, Heidt, Stramel to be top NHL centers. That takes time and experience which MN has almost none. Rossi has yet to play a single playoff game. I don't know him, but does he crank it up for playoffs or is he like other Euros who struggle under pressure and physicality? We've kinda seen that already. Not in the playoffs and yeah he's still young so I'm not trying to rip Rossi, but I'd like to see the Wild find balance in more ways than just stat-lines or future potential. 

Where have you been watching hockey? Boone for rossi, I'm sorry you should lose your job at the mere suggestion. He's mediocre and only getting worse. He's benefited from being the "only guy" for now.

Why are we talking about trading a guy with huge upside for more prospects or aging vets that may never be CLOSE to his upside... especially one who may hit the HIGHEST Of that upside in a year or 2. This is why mn can never have anything nice.

[Need4speed99]

On 6/22/2024 at 8:35 AM, Pewterschmidt said:

While I agree that Guerin deserves second guessing on his unforced errors, I’m waffling on midzy.  He’s a solid locker room guy (good for team culture which builds slowly over years), he’s big,  and he’s above average defensively.  But could the 4.25M w/NMC be spent more wisely?

You overspend by atleast 1.25 or more, probably 2 mil. Dont get me wrong, love muddy, just NO ONE would have spent that... if they would have hunt was atleast bringing up along with like peart or lambos... yea yea, hear they aren't worth it. 

OK, why pay more for a guy who's ceiling wasNT ever as high(not to knock mid AT ALL). being a gm seems to get the way of Billy's ego...

 

 

[Protec]

The Rossi-lovers need to remember he's barely inside the top 20 from his draft. He's had heart damage and is one of the smallest guys without dynamic speed or agility. High hockey IQ, and great work ethic but stumping that he'll carry the Wild one day or that he's totally indispensable is silly. NYR isn't gonna automatically extend Lafreniere who was good for the playoffs but MN should make Rossi a core guy cause he scored 40pts and played a full season. 

MN needs to get better, bigger, faster, now, not in a couple years when Brodin is old, Faber is on a defensive island, and Kaprizov moves to FL. 

[BillieGismylover]

On 6/21/2024 at 9:03 PM, Tony Abbott said:

We saw it last fall with Foligno/Zucc/Hartman, and are gonna get another dose of it in July with Middleton. After Faber/Kaprizov, what's gonna be left?

The Wild aren’t going anywhere until the Parise and Suter contracts are off the books. They overachieved two years ago and got stomped by a bigger, faster team. Same old story. If one of the big Defensemen falls to us tomorrow and we can eventually find a way to unload Spurgeon it would be a great start to the offseason.